22. Quail and Zebra Finches

Who Covers research Birds?

Guide, PHS, Ag Guide, AWA (if not bred for use in research - so like wild caught birds)

What does Lacey Act cover?

applies only to "injurious birds" and Lacey act doesn't apply to research birds or psitticines imported for any reason

injurious = invasive or otherwise harmful

Does the PHS Policy apply to live embryonated eggs?

NO; applicable to offspring only after hatching

Birds lack a __________ so the lungs do not change size when bird breathes since they are firmly attached to ribs and thoracic vertebrae. Their ribs have hooked bones that lock to strengthen the rib cage and a deep sternum (keel) that provides attachment of the pectoral muscles. They rely on movement of the ______________ to expand air sacs and draw air in.

diaphragm; sternum

What is the function of crop, proventriculus and gizzard in birds?

crop- stores and moistens feed

proventriculus- glandular stomach (HCl and gastric juices) that provides the enzymatic breakdown

gizzard- muscular stomach that grinds the food

Which side of oviduct and ovary are functional in females birds?

In females birds only the left oviduct and ovary are functional.

Where is albumin and egg shell deposited? How long can they store sperm?

magnum (albumin is deposited)

isthmus and uterus (egg shell and pigment added).

store sperm 10-22 days in uterovaginal junction

If placing an IO catheter in birds which bones can be used?

do NOT do it in the Humerus/femur (common spots in mammals). Use distal ulna or proximal tibiotarsus bones for catheters instead.

Big bones are pneumatic

What is the sex chromosome in avian spp.?

Males are ZZ and females are ZW

What is the function of bursa of fabricuis?

hematopoiesis and necessary for B cell maturation.

What does uropygial gland (preen gland) do?

gland located laterally to the tail feather attachment that secretes oil used to waterproof or preen feathers

What is the incubation period for chicken?

21

What is the incubation period for Japanese quail?

16d

What is the incubation period for Zebra finch?

11-14d

Euthanasia methods for embryonated eggs at or >80% incubation & neonates

• Decapitation

• Inhaled gases through air cell (large end) of shell + decapitation

• prolonged exposure to CO2 (>20m)

Additional method of euthanasia for embryonated eggs <80% incubated

• cooling (4 hrs at <4C)

• freezing

Euthanasia method for neonate chicks (poultry ONLY)

• Maceration (up to 72hr old)

• CO2 exposure (day of hatch - 75% for 5 minutes, pips/newly hatched need 80-90%)

What is an acceptable euthanasia method in bird?

• Barbiturates - IV - then intraceolomic, IO, or intracardiac (must be sedated first, never humerus or femur avoid air sac)

What are acceptable w/ conditions euthanasia methods in LAB bird?

• Inhaled anesthetics (sole or two step)

• CO2 (>40% adults, neonates need >80-90%)

• CO

• N2, Ar (including mixtures w/ CO2) - no aversion

• Physical:

  • cervical dislocation (<200g or up to 2.3kg chicken)

  • Blunt force trauma (turkeys and broilers too large for cervical dislocation)

  • decapitation (<200g, no limit for poultry)

  • gunshot (if not captive)

  • PCB or NPCB - must be made for species (poultry generally)

  • Poultry (production): blunt force trauma, electrocution, PCB, NPCB

What are acceptable w/ conditions euthanasia methods in POULTRY?

• Inhaled anesthetics (sole or two step)

• CO2 (>40% adults, neonates need >80-90%)

• CO

• N2, Ar (including mixtures w/ CO2) - no aversion

• Reduction in atmospheric pressure (Low Atmospheric pressure stunning) (vacuum chamber)

• Physical:

  • cervical dislocation (2.3kg chicken)

  • Blunt force trauma (turkeys and broilers too large for cervical dislocation)

  • decapitation (no limit)

  • gunshot (if not captive)

  • PCB or NPCB - must be made for species

  • Electrocution (individual bird only)

What are the adjunct methods of euthanasia in birds?

Requirement - unconsciousness first

• KCl or Magnesium sulfate - IV or intracardiac

• Exsanguination

• Thoracic compression (lab only)

When is thoracic compression an unacceptable method of euthanasia in birds?

• if production animal

• lab animal MUST be unconscious first

What does White Carneau (100% affliction) pigeon serve as a model in research?

Atherosclerosis

Which pigeon serve as a control to White Carneau (100% affliction) pigeon?

Show Racer pigeon- useful for genetic comparisons of the two in regards to atherosclerosis

What are the common research uses for Anas platyrhynchos – Duck?

Muscular dystrophy

Avian influenza

Spontaneous amyloidosis

What are the common research uses for Melopsittacus undulatus – Budgerigar?

Nutrition, Anesthesia, Physiology, Parasitology, Infectious and metabolic diseases (pathogenesis and treatment of Klebsiella pneumonia and Aspergillosis)

Auditory research (Complex sound discrimination, vocal learning)

What are the common research uses for Japanese Quail (Coturnix japonica)?

• Aging (senescence) immunology, endocrinology, developmental & reproductive biology

• Hypothalamic systems exhibit neuroplasticity

• Dynamic bone physiology => Osteoporosis

• Hypercholesterolemia w/ vascular lesions and xanthomatosis

• Glycogen storage Dz

• Myotonic dystrophy

• Acid maltase deficiency (Pompe’s disease) = inherited build-up glycogen in cells

• Poultry Pathogens

• Salmonella pullorum, E. coli, M. avium

• Visual System

• Developmental pathology retina/optical nerve

• Spontaneous glaucoma, cataracts, retinal degeneration

What is the relationship of Japanese Quail (Coturnix japonica) with European Common Quail (coturnix coturnix)?

closely related

produce fertile hybrids in captivity

Quail coat colors - albino (A), yellow (B), white breasted (C), and Silver (D)

What is the "Quiver" in Japanese quail? model for which human disorder?

Neurofilament-deficient mutant exhibits wide-spread tremors

The noradrenaline and 5-hydroxytryptamine (serotonin) in the quivers brain differs from normal quail and can be used as parkinsons model.

What is the function of cloacal gland in Japanese quail? The size of this gland correlates with what photoperiod?

Male secretes white foamy material

Retained by ♀ for sperm motility

↑ gland size 🡪 ↑ photoperiod

By what age does sexual dimorphism appear in Japanese quail?

• 4-6 week

• left of the picture is male, right is female

• Males are smaller than females

• females have light tan feather and black speckling on their chest and throat, males have a rusty brown throat and breast feathers

• Can sex on day one via cloaca

Foam production from the cloacal gland is influenced by the bacterial in the cloacal gland. Which Abx will cause the decrease bacteria and affect fertility?

fluoroquinolones

Why is it beneficial to have a solid floor w/ substrate (wood chips) for Japanese quail?

terrestrial bird and like to forage

Will adding perches in quail housing environment be beneficial?

No, Little time on elevated surfaces 🡪 perches NO value

What enrichment is needed in quail housing for health skin/feather? What abnormal behavior can happen if this material is not provided?

• Dust bathing - (late afternoon > AM or early afternoon)

• 'Vacuum dust bathing' - behavior w/out suitable material

What is the mating preference in Japanese quails?

polygamy to monogamy

females house continuously w/ male higher fertile egg rate

introduce female to male cage

What is a pecking order in Japanese quail?

increased stocking density, multi male groups 🡪 ↑ injuries

Why is it difficult to establish an inbred Japanese quail line?

Susceptible to inbreeding depression

The minimum space recommendations for quail are ______ ft squared floor area per animal. Cage height should be sufficient for the animals to stand erect with their feet on the floor.

0.25

3 multiple choice options

Quails have a vertical escape panic response and this can lead to serious head injuries if cage ceilings are too high. What is the ideal cage height?

ideal height is between 20-25 cm, another 30cm in height.

What is the recommended housing temperature for quails?

22-25°C (72-77°F) ideal per BB

"The Guide" 16-27°C (61-81°F) for poultry

What complication is associated with housing quails in Battery cage?

- pododermatitis caused by wire bar floor

Brooding temperature for 1 day old chicks should be between ___-____ F degrees and gradually reduced to____-____ F by the third week

90-95F; 75-80⁰F

Use of small solid bottom cages coupled with a wheat based high gluten diet and bedding mixed with male cloacal gland secretion can result in _____

the accumulation of food on the digits and can lead to TOE BALLS

AVOID ↑ wheat feeds

Which vein is the most common vessel for blood collection in quails?

Jugular v.

What complications are associated with meloxicam injectable and ketoprofen in quails?

Meloxicam: can cause injection site muscle necrosis, Ketoprofen: low bioavailability and short half-life

What photoperiod is needed for quail breeding?

Artificial light of 12h or more 🡪 year round breeding

Short day lengths 🡪 gonadal regression and breeding cessation

What age do quail become sexually mature? male vs. female? mating ratio?

Sexual maturity at 6-8 wks of age

Short-day lengths 🡪 delayed maturation

♀ puberty 48.8 d, sexual maturity 54.2 d

♂ puberty 32.6 d, sexual maturity 42.4 d

1:3 Optimal ♂:♀ ratio

What egg storing condition can be used without ↓ hatchability?

Wash eggs, store @13°C (55°F), 65% humidity, turn daily

Eggs may be stored at ~11°C for up to 15 days, 21°C for up to 10 days, and 27°C for up to 5 days w/out ↓ hatchability

What is the temperature for hatching incubators for quail?

Forced-air incubator

Automatic egg-turning 90° angle once/hr

Transfer eggs to hatching incubator on day 16

38°C (100°F)/50-65% humidity optimal

No food or water is needed in first 24hours after hatching

Quail- Trauma conspecific pecking = MOST FREQUENT where is the common site for such trauma?

Back of head / neck area; mostly between males

Trimming the beaks and nails every 4wks can reduce number of pecking related injuries.

Zebra finches sexual dimorphism

1.       Adults have orange beak (beak is black until 1mo and gradually changes)

2.       Wild-type adult male zebra finches have orange cheek patches, fine black-and-white barring on the throat and upper breast with a subjacent solid black band, and chestnut-colored flanks speckled with white spots

3.       females are gray in these areas

What are the research uses of zebra finches?

Acoustic Communication

What is the development of zebrah finch song by age? which gender sings more?

1.       male zebra finches learn songs by imitating the vocalizations an adult (usually father)

2.       Early singing in juveniles → 30–40 days post-hatch (dph) w/ babbling vocalizations called subsong.

3.       plas­tic song stage → 45 and 75 dph w/ more structured - variable & recognizable prototype syllables emerge à few weeks and they are distinct song syllables

4.       adulthood (80–90 dph) → song is fairly stereotyped sequence of three to seven syllables (tutor song - sung in repeated linear sequence AKA song motif)

5.       Young males refine their songs until the majority of birds produce a good copy of the tutor song

vocal behavior = sexually dimorphic

Which transcription factor knockdown leads to deficits in vocal learning in zebra finch?

FOXP2 transcription factor

What is Anisodactylous (zebra finches)?

3 claw forward, 1 back

How do zebra finches select mating partner? Type of breeding?

Song, redness of beak, ♂ social dominance

Strong pair bonds - yr round breeding - both parents participate in care

Pair at 6-9 mo for breeding

What type of housing is recommended in zebra finches?

Aviary housing preferred, unless frequent capture is necessary (stressful)

Conspecific aggression most common clinical issue

What is the recommended floor space and cage height for housing zebra finches?

Guide does NOT address minimum cage space/bird

Common US practice is 1ft³ cage volume per bird

Space between bars for Zebrafinches?

~1cm apart

What floor is recommended in zebra finches housing?

solid floor w/shavings because they Forage/eat off ground

How often should the cage bedding be changed in zebra finches?

twice/week

Are perches essential in zebra finches housing?

Yes

For breeding what additional enrichment recommended?

Nest boxes and nesting material (avoid loos thread, blue color is preferred)

Mandatory resting period for Zebrafinches is necessary. This should be done how often? How is it accomplished?

2 30 day periods/year

remove all nest material and boxes

What other features are beneficial in the zebra finch housing?

Water bath / sand baths (water preferred - if used replace weekly or daily)

What does Cuttlebones provide zebra finches?

source of calcium

Grit is or is not recommended for ZF?

controversial - doesn’t affect food intake or digestability, limit amount of grit and monitor for impaction

How often should water holder be sanitized?

Weekly

What is the housing temperature for zebra finches? Humidity?

70-80°F (21-27°C) - as close to 75F as possible

30-70%

What is the recommended light level in zebra finches?

500 lux

What is the reason for Emergency lighting in zebra finches housing?

zebra finches will not eat in dark

White noises are beneficial in naked mole rat. It's also beneficial in zebra finches (T/F)

NO low frequency vibrations or white noise

Acoustic social stimulation is good though

Why should low frequency vibrations or white noise be avoided in zebra finches?

a.       females’ preference for their pair-bonded males, compared with extra-pair males, decreased SIGNIFICANTLY as the amplitude of environmental noise was increased

b.       presumed that bonded males’ pair maintaining calls were masked or distorted

Can toe clips be used in zebra finches to do genotyping?

NO TOE CLIPS, PERCHING BIRDS

What are some common sites for performing injections in zebra finches?

SQ route preferred - interscapular and inguinal area

IM pectorals

Intracoelomic -lower 1/3 on midline to avoid air sacs

Fluids: SQ, crop gavage, distal ulna IO

Where can blood collection be performed in zebra finches?

R. jugular / basilic v. => small amount

Cardiac puncture (terminal, larger amounts)

Are Zebra finches territorial?

only of nest itself - about 20cm diameter

Agnostic behavior of ZF?

a.       bill fences – jabbing or peck­ing at the head of an opponent

b.       displacement – driving an individual off of its perch

c.        chase – following an individual after it has been displaced

What can be used to treat dystocia/egg binding in zebra finches?

Ca gluconate IM q 3-6 hours + fluids, intracloacal prostaglandin E2 gel

manual removal

What is Yolk Coelomitis in zebra finches?

eggs without the shell (will not show up on rads)- yolks get so large, break and cause a peritonitis

yellow discoloration of coelom

Euthanize if large amount of yolk

What other disease in zebra finches presents similarly clinically to egg binding/dystocia?

overian tumor

o   4% mortality

o   Hydropericardium, mild to mod hepatomegaly, splenic and kidney congestion

Fowl adenovirus serotype 4 - hydropericardium syndrome

o   Aerosol transmission suspected, highly contagious

o   Severe illness in chicks < 6 wks

o   CS: anorexia, ruffled feathers, open mouth breathing, rales, sneezing, nasal/ocular discharge, death; older animals asymp.

o   Gross path: tracheal opacity, thickening of trachea causing partial obstruction, mucosal exudate

Histo: large basophilic IN inclusions, necrotizing prolif. Bronchitis, hepatic/splenic/cloacal bursa necrosis

Quail Bronchitis Virus (QBV) - adenovirus

Budgies: acute lethargy, crop stasis, hemorrhage, feather abnormalities

Others: often fatal if < 4 mo

Zebra Finches: unilateral periorbital swelling, SQ nodules neck, thorax, wings

Avian polyomavirus

"Egg Drop Syndrome" REPORTABLE

spread through vertical transmission through the egg

CS: decreased egg production, decreased eggshell pigment, thin/soft shelled egg

Duck adenovirus A

transmission - direct

Quail: lethargy, anorexia, ↓weight, soft feces, lime green urates

Chickens: depression/death, transient unilateral paralysis

Necropsy: tumors various organs + enlarged nerves

Diffuse or nodular lymphoid tumors

Fish eye - irregular pupil with neoplastic cell filtration

Marek's Dz (Range Paralysis) - Alphaherpesvirus Lymphoproliferative Dz

How is Marek's Dz (Range Paralysis) transmitted?

highly contagious, shed from feather follicles, and transmitted by direct contact

●    retrovirus, immunosuppression, runting, lymphomas

o   Japanese quail natural host

o   Direct contact transmission

o   Immunosuppression, runting syndrome, high mortality, acute reticulum cell neoplasia, T-cell and/or B-cell lymphomas

o   Histo: similar to avian lymphoid leucosis and Marek’s dz

Reticulendotheliosis Virus

o   arbovirus (Alphavirus, family Togaviridae)

o   Transmission: arthropod vectors (mosquito Culisetta melanura) or feather picking and cannibalism

o   CS: depression, tremor, paralysis, torticollis, death

o   Gross: duodenal catarrhal enteritis

ZOONOTIC

Eastern Equine Encephalomyelitis?

o   Fecal oral and vertical transmission

o   CS: young 1-2 week old: ataxia, tremors (Head and neck), Chick morbidity 40-60%; decreased egg production, decreased hatchability and increased embryo mortality

o   Shed: 5 days in adults, up to 2 weeks in young birds

o   Gross: whitish areas in muscularis layer of ventriculus (infiltrating lymphocytes)

o   Histo: disseminated, nonpurulent encephalomyelitis, ganglionitis of DRG, hyperplasia of lymphoid follicles in proventriculus, ventriculus, and myocardium

Avian encephalomyeltitis virus - picornaviridae

Quail: ↓ weight, blepharitis, conjunctivitis, blindness, papules at beak/nares, 60% morbidity, 20% mortality

Zebra finch: dermal/mucosal lesions, emaciation, sudden death, ICIB (Bollinger bodies)

Chickens/Turkeys: Dry (cutaneous), Wet (diphtheritic) form

Transmission: cross species and horizontally

Avipoxvirus (fowl pox)

How is Avipoxvirus transmitted?

scabs and skin debris contaminate litter, feed, and water

Vaccination with fowl pox is not protective in what species?

Qual

Quail CS: subclinical to lethargy, ruffled feathers, dyspnea, torticollis, paralysis, hemorrhagic diarrhea

Quail Gross: tracheal hemorrhage, inflamed/hemorrhagic Peyer’s patches, pulmonary edema, proventriculus hemorrhage

Zebra finch (2 types, 1 is severe and rare)

CS: 3) neurologic signs, diarrhea, and occasionally respiratory signs in psittacines & passerines, 1) Neuro, Resp C/S: lethargy, ruffled feathers, dyspnea, torticollis, paralysis, hemorrhagic diarrhea, tracheal hemorrhage

Avian Paramyxovirus (Newcastle disease)

What are the two types of paramyxovirus in birds?

PMV 1 - newcastle

PMV 3

How is avian paramyxovirus 1 (newcastle disease) spread?

horizontal - fecal oral

aerosol

Japanese Quail: more susceptible than turkeys, spread w/o CS

Zebra finch: severely affected by experimental infection with H5N1 (100% mortality), less severe H7N9 (could be intermediate host)

Zebra finch C/S: sudden death, unthriftiness, respiratory & neurologic signs

Zoonotic

Avian Influenza virus (fowl plague)

Respiratory disease (nasal discharge, sneezing, coughing, rales, lethargy)

Morbidity/mortality highest among young chicks

Growth retardation in meat birds, decreased quality and quantity of eggs (soft wrinkled eggs)

Infectious Bronchitis Virus